It's a start, Jem, and thank you ! I'd like to see all angles, side, rear, under the hood and all over details, but taking pictures and posting them is time-consuming. Grateful for this one, looks like a fine example in a charming setting ! Thank you !!

The vendor told me his sister had taken it in a divorce settlement and he was selling for her. Certainly it came with an Indiana title in a lady's name and a 1962 Indiana tag, and looked like 1962 was the last time it had been used. The brass was almost crusted with neglect. I suspect it may have come from an estate sale.

I have a Indiana license document from 1954 and it looks like it was a barn find in the 50s, refurbished to the standards of the time, so there are some later parts on the car. The (almost illegible) microfiche shipping doc from Benson Ford shows it shipped to Boston Aug 17 1909, with 'No Top'. So don't tell me the top irons are wrong, obviously the supplying dealer made a bit more profit by selling an accessory top.

I had to repaint the wheels, horrible colour and paint falling off, but otherwise it is much 'as found'. We potter about locally and have in the past done a handful of tours. I joined the 2 piece crank club some years ago and the block had extensive metal-stitching. I have tried many different products on the leather but it has dried out beyond hope - we don't use the front seat cushion shown when driving it out and have vinyl ocvers to protect the remains of the leather.

No under hood photos in the link, the original motor is in the shop. I'll leave you to pick over and tell me what's wrong with it.

Couple of other comments: the chrome gizmo on the steering is a Philips Irreversible Steering Gear and, yes it works. The coil box has a horrible conversion to take later coils - I have another box but need to get a full set of early coils.

Hello Jim: My good friend Jim in Oblong Illinois owns #6269, also stamped on August 17th 1909. His has the same Beaudette aluminum body, and also has the same early style patent plate under the seat. Jim's has a 6 rivet rear end with the longer driveshaft housing, where he has reason to believe this rear end configuration is original to the car. Many thanks for posting the rear end work....am looking forward to seeing your progress. Regards, Scott

Not wishing to start a new debate or upset anyone but as far as I am concerned if a vehicle was assembled and went “Out the factory door” between Jan 1 and December 31 of any year that is the year it should be dated at. I think the concept of calling a late 09 a 1910 Model may have been a sales gimmick to be driving a 1910 Model car in 1909? I once purchased a “1963” lawn mower in September 1962! Just my opinion. Alan